The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) announced the appointment of Dr Lee Pugalis as Professor of Urban Studies within the UTS Centre for Local Government (UTS:CLG) on Monday.
Professor Pugalis joins an enhanced research team at UTS:CLG whose research into social cohesion and ‘why local government matters’ has achieved prominence recently in the national local government industry.
Centre Director Associate Professor Roberta Ryan said she was “delighted” to welcome Prof. Pugalis to the Centre and to UTS.
“Lee hails from the North East of England, a veritable urban policy laboratory, which has shaped his passion for all aspects of urban studies.
“Lee has a first-class reputation for devising urban regeneration schemes and economic development strategies that grapple with complex social, economic, environmental and physical issues.
“Through his award winning research, Lee will deepen and extend UTS:CLG’s policy engagement, research impact, and bespoke consultancy offering across the field of urban studies”.
Prof. Pugalis is an expert on city and regional development, and will draw upon his European research experience and previous roles in local, regional and national government to provide new insights and deliver more sustainable patterns of development in Australia.
He will extend his pioneering research on entrepreneurial forms of governance and place-based modes of development in an Australasian context.
Professor Pugalis said, “It is an exciting time to be joining UTS:CLG, which has recently reaffirmed ‘why local government matters’.
“It is now time to re-energise city and regional development debates across Australia in a manner that accounts for population growth pressures and new ways of living in the context of international crises, environmental constraints and growing socio-economic disparities.
“UTS:CLG will be at the forefront of reaffirming ‘why city and regional development matters’ and how it can be used as a progressive tool for advancing social justice.”
Prof. Pugalis will be working closely with the public policy sector to increase knowledge transfer activities that enhance service provision and policy design.
He will be advising city and regional development agencies on place-based assets and opportunities, and he will be supporting local communities to help them perform key roles in policy and decision-making processes.
